As a card-carrying geek, there are a lot of phrases that light up my eyes. Like, say, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” Or maybe a laughing cry of “I am not left-handed!” Or even just the simple rasp of “I’m Batman.”

But one of my favorites is a simple eight-word introduction:

Your mission, should you choose to accept it …

That always meant another wild adventure for the wily agents of Mission: Impossible. Not the high-flying Ethan Hunt movies, but the TV series with the team of experts who regularly executed elaborate capers against evil-doers. Everything was carefully thought out, planned to a fare-thee-well.

Of course unexpected complications always came up. (This WAS a dramatic series, after all.) But because they’d thought ahead, they didn’t have to make everything up on the fly. They had the tools to find a solution.

Moral of the story: Preparation matters.

If that sounds familiar, it should. After all, we’ve just had a couple of blogs with tips on how to prepare for a winter outage and what to do when a winter outage hits. And one bit of preparation that can be a helpful part of the plan is a backup generator.

For some homes, this will be vital, helping make sure that things like medical equipment or a basement sump pump have continuous power. But it can be part of anybody’s peace of mind. A portable generator is typically fuel-powered and safe to use when correctly handled. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep these tips in mind:

• Never use a portable generator inside an enclosed building. Carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels without warning.
• Never connect a generator without disconnecting from your utility power source FIRST. The reverse flow, or “backfeed,” can electrocute a utility worker.
• Always use the right size and type of power cord for your electric load. Overloading a cord can start fires.
• Never run that power cord under a rug or carpet. Heat can build up and damage to the cord can go unnoticed.
• And of course, always maintain the generator when you’re not using it, so it’s ready when you need it!

Thinking ahead makes a difference. And if winter snows – or spring winds, or adventurous squirrels – throw the unexpected at you, you’ll be ready.

That’s Mission: Achievable.

And no, this blog will not self-destruct in five seconds.